LPGA rookie disqualified from her first ever US Women’s Open

An LPGA rookie was disqualified midway through her opening round at the US Women’s Open following a devastating rules mix-up.

Thailand’s Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was DQ’d from the prestigious major at Pebble Beach when it was found that her caddie Jinsup Kim had been using a rangefinder on “multiple occasions.”

Vongtaveelap had started her first ever US Women’s Open on the 10th hole of the iconic California links course, which is hosting its inaugural women’s major this week.

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But the youngster was told by USGA officials by the 14th hole after a solid level-par start that she had impeded the rules with the repeated use of the distance measuring tool.

“During the first round, on multiple occasions, the caddie for Natthakritta Vongtaveelap used a distance measuring device, which is not allowed in the U.S. Women’s Open,” a USGA statement read.

“The first breach is a general penalty, and the second breach resulted in disqualification.”

Rules state that distance measuring devices are allowed during almost every event on the LPGA, hence the huge confusion that ultimately forced the USGA’s hand.

Rangefinders were legal during the KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol last month and the only tournaments they cannot be used in are at the U.S Women’s Open and the AIG Women’s Open.

The rules confusion would prove a sickening blow for Vongtaveelap, who is an exciting 20-year-old prospect just finding her feet on the LPGA Tour.

She found out just five holes into her round that her first US Women’s Open was to come to an extremely premature end.

Vongtaveelap is a five-time winner on the Thai LPGA Tour and and was runner-up at this year’s Honda LPGA Thailand.

The first round headlines, meanwhile, belonged to Irish amateur Aine Donegan, who is one shot back from leaders Xiyu Lin and Hyo Hoo Kim.

Donegan, 21 arrived at Pebble Beach without her clubs and when they did eventually turn up, her driver had been snapped to pieces in transit.

Irish compatriot Leona Maguire matched Donegan’s impressive three-under score to put herself in contention heading into round two.